PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihiro Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sato is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by NWO Triumph. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Emelianenko
vs
Sato

217 cm
18
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Sato!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Emelianenko has managed to clinch.
Emelianenko can't get the takedown.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown attempt but Sato pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Sato looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sato takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sato lands strikes from half guard.
Emelianenko tries to get to full guard but Sato has control of the leg.
Ground and pound from Sato.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko punching from the bottom.
Emelianenko wants to control but Sato is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Emelianenko is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Sato is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Emelianenko is just riding it out for now. Sato eventually gives up the hold.
Emelianenko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Emelianenko strikes from the bottom but Sato uses the opportunity to move to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping him busy.
Emelianenko is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Emelianenko pushes Sato off and gets back to his feet.
Sato shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Emelianenko defends it nicely.

Emelianenko closes the distance and clinches.
Emelianenko is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirko Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelianenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Sato breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Emelianenko does no damage.

Sato scores with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Sato stands up over Emelianenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sato preventing the sweep.
Sato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Emelianenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Emelianenko striking from his own guard.
Sato lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Emelianenko has momentary wrist control but Sato slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sato stopping the sweep attempt from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko wants to control the position but Sato says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Emelianenko punching from the bottom.
Emelianenko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Emelianenko missing with punches from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sato lands a nice short elbow.
Sato winds up and cracks Emelianenko with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sato is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sato scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Emelianenko is rocked!
Sato landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Oh Emelianenko is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sato looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sato scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sato looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Emelianenko with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Sato there.
Sato is trying to control. Emelianenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Emelianenko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sato scores with a couple of nice shots.
Emelianenko has hold of Sato's hands but Sato slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Emelianenko landing a few short strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato drops an elbow to the side of Emelianenko's head.
Sato blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.
Sato winds up and cracks Emelianenko with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sato slips a nice elbow through Emelianenko's hands, connecting with Emelianenko's forehead.
Sato landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Emelianenko is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Emelianenko seems to have got his legs back now.
Sato wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko missing with punches from the bottom.
Sato blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sato wants to take a breather but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Sato takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Emelianenko is trying to maintain the position but Sato is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelianenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Emelianenko is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sato moves nicely into side control.
Sato looks up at the clock and then as Emelianenko takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sato smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Sato dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Horrible takedown by Sato or perhaps it was just good defense by Emelianenko which made him look bad.

Emelianenko gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Emelianenko gets control of Sato's arms and successfully pulls guard. Emelianenko will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sato stopping the sweep attempt from Emelianenko.
Sato keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Emelianenko's head.
Emelianenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sato.
Sato chips away with some ground and pound.
Sato postures up.
Yoshihiro Sato has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sato drops back looking for a leg! Emelianenko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Emelianenko manages to kick Sato off! Sato jumps back into Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sato is breathing heavily.
Sato scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato won't allow Emelianenko to sweep him here.
Emelianenko striking off his back.
Emelianenko throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Sato won't allow Emelianenko to sweep him here.
Sato chips away with some ground and pound.
Emelianenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sato is one step ahead there.
Sato looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Emelianenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sato trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sato pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emelianenko is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Yoshihiro Sato was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Emelianenko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Emelianenko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sato after a bit of a struggle.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sato just stands there and leans against the cage.

Sato pulls guard effortlessly.
Sato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Emelianenko is one step ahead there.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sato pulls Emelianenko in close to prevent any damage.

Emelianenko stands and steps away. Sato gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Emelianenko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato fails with the takedown.
Emelianenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mirko Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoshihiro Sato.

Sato tries to keep at a distance but Emelianenko has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sato with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sato is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Emelianenko is keeping busy.
Emelianenko wants a takedown but no success here.
Emelianenko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sato pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Emelianenko as Sato tries to tie him up.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Sato manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato lands an elbow inside that Emelianenko shrugs off.
Emelianenko has Sato pressed against the cage, preventing Sato from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Emelianenko turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Sato throws Emelianenko to one side and escapes!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Sato. Sato gets slowly back to his feet.

Emelianenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sato, pushing him back against the cage.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown attempt but Sato pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mirko Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emelianenko misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko moves in looking to clinch but Sato pushes him off.
Emelianenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Sato circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mirko Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sato closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Sato tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Sato is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Emelianenko has escaped the position, nice work there.
Emelianenko prevents Sato from moving into mount.

Sato tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Emelianenko misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Sato takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelianenko misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Emelianenko manages to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato trying to move into half guard but instead Emelianenko has managed to sweep!

Emelianenko stands up and waves to Sato to follow him.
A left and a right from Emelianenko both land. Nice combination.

Emelianenko clinches with his opponent.
Emelianenko is working for takedown but Sato is calmly controlling the position for now.
Emelianenko is looking for a takedown.

Sato manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Emelianenko wanted to stand there but Sato had control of the position.

Emelianenko gets to his feet - Sato follows without any prompting.
Emelianenko lands a jab-cross combination.
Emelianenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Emelianenko moves into range and clinches up with Sato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirko Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelianenko looking for a takedown.
Sato misses with a knee strike.
Emelianenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sato pulls his leg out and moves away.
Emelianenko wants to clinch.
Emelianenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Emelianenko moves in looking to clinch but Sato pushes him off.
No luck for Sato with that takedown attempt.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko rushes Sato and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sato wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Emelianenko has him pressed against the cage.

Emelianenko gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sato gets full guard.

Emelianenko stands and steps away. Sato gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nice sprawl there from Emelianenko as Sato shoots in.

Emelianenko gets the takedown into side control.

Emelianenko stands up and beckons Sato to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sato tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Emelianenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Emelianenko wants to clinch up but Sato keeps it at a distance.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sato counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Emelianenko!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko regains half guard.

Emelianenko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Emelianenko wants to get back to full guard.
Sato seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Emelianenko wants to control but Sato is keeping busy.
Sato is nestled in close to Emelianenko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Emelianenko is trying to stand up here but Sato is controlling him well.
Emelianenko tries to roll over but Sato keeps him under control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sato seems to be working for a kimura but Emelianenko defends the submission attempt.

Emelianenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sato pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Emelianenko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Emelianenko has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Emelianenko!